Behind the Scenes of DIY SOS: The Big Build with Timber Frame Ireland
When viewers tune into DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland on RTÉ, they’ll witness an emotional home transformation for Hannah Leonard and her family.
As the new timber frame supplier for DIY SOS Ireland, Timber Frame Ireland was responsible for the design, engineering, manufacture and installation of the closed panel timber frame extension that formed the heart of the project.
Declan Bourke, Timber Frame Ireland reflects on one of the most memorable builds the company has ever undertaken.
“From the minute we heard Hannah’s story, we wanted to help.”
Q. What was your first reaction when Timber Frame Ireland was asked to take part in DIY SOS?
Declan Bourke:
“It was an immediate yes – we only had to hear Hannah’s story once.”
“As parents ourselves, it really struck a chord. You stop thinking about drawings and construction and start thinking about what this home will actually mean to this family.”
“To be trusted as the new timber frame supplier for DIY SOS Ireland on a project like this was an incredible honour.”
Turning the Vision Into Reality
While television viewers see a seamless transformation, the reality behind the scenes was a race against time!
Once the final drawings were approved, Timber Frame Ireland had just one week to manufacture the entire closed panel timber frame extension in its Donegal factory before transporting it across the country to Bray, Co. Wicklow.
For most projects, that programme would already be considered ambitious.
But for DIY SOS, and all it meant to this family, it simply had to be done!
Declan explains:
“People probably don’t realise how much happens before a panel ever arrives on site.”
“Every element had to be designed, engineered, manufactured, quality checked, loaded and delivered in an incredibly short timeframe. From approved drawings to a finished frame leaving our factory, we had around a week.”
“It was a huge effort from everyone involved, but there was never any question of whether we’d get it done.”
Why Timber Frame Was the Perfect Choice
The demanding DIY SOS schedule is exactly why timber frame construction was chosen.
Manufacturing the timber frame extension off-site meant that once delivered, the precision-engineered frame could be erected quickly, allowing the following trades to begin straight away.
“Modern timber frame construction is built around efficiency. Along with energy efficiency itself, that’s why it’s increased so much in popularity in recent years” says Declan.
“Because everything is manufactured in a controlled factory environment, you’re not waiting on weather or trying to build every component from scratch on site.”
“And that’s why timber frame works so well for projects where time is critical.”
“But speed is only part of the story. It’s also got to deliver excellent airtightness, high levels of insulation, precision engineering and outstanding energy performance.”
“Those are the benefits that remain long after the cameras leave – a future proofed home for the Leonard family to enjoy for years to come!”
One Day Became Half a Day..
The original program allowed a full day to erect the timber frame extension.
Reality had other ideas..
Site access was delayed, meaning the installation couldn’t begin until around 2pm.
Suddenly, a full day’s program became little under half a working day.
Site Supervisor, Timber Frame Ireland;
“Nobody complained.”
“Everyone simply looked at each other and got on with it.”
“The lads knew exactly what this build meant for Hannah and her family.”
“There was never any talk of what couldn’t be done – only what needed to happen.”
Against the odds, the team completed the installation, keeping the project firmly on schedule.
Long Days. Late Nights. Worth Every Minute.
Like every DIY SOS project, there were long days that extended well beyond normal working hours.
One of the final evenings saw the Timber Frame Ireland team working late to complete the flat roof before leaving site.
Looking back now, nobody remembers how tired they were.
“You don’t remember the late finish.”
“You remember the atmosphere.”
“You remember everyone pulling together.”
“You remember why you were there.”
The Big Reveal Day!
Ask anyone involved what they’ll remember most, and the answer is almost always the same.
Reveal day.
Watching Hannah and the Leonard family arrive to see their transformed home for the first time is something few on site will ever forget.
Declan Bourke:
“As a father myself, I can only imagine what was going through Kevin Leonard’s mind walking towards that house.”
“Watching your daughter finally have a home designed around her needs after everything she’d been through… seeing the work of hundreds of volunteers come together in that one moment… that’s something that stays with you.”
Kevin Leonard summed up the moment best when he said:
“The finish line is in sight, and Hannah will be coming home.”
“That really hit home for all of us,” says Declan of Timber Frame Ireland.
“At that point, you realise we hadn’t just built an extension – we’d helped create the next chapter for this deserving family.”
More Than a Timber Frame Extension
For Timber Frame Ireland, the project demonstrated exactly what’s possible with modern timber frame construction.
A precision-engineered, energy-efficient timber frame extension, designed, manufactured and installed in a matter of weeks, delivered to an exceptional standard under extraordinary time pressure.
But the company says the real success wasn’t measured in square metres.
It was measured in spirit.
Proud to Play Our Part
DIY SOS is famous for bringing communities together, and this project was no different.
Tradespeople, suppliers, volunteers and local businesses all donated their time and skills to give one family something priceless – a place to call home again.
“Construction gives us the opportunity to improve people’s lives every day,” says Declan.
“Projects like this remind you exactly why that matters.”
“We’re incredibly proud to have played our part, and we’d like to thank the DIY SOS team, every volunteer, every supplier and, most importantly, the Leonard family for allowing us to be part of such a special journey.“
We Can’t Wait for You to See It
The DIY SOS cameras may have packed up, but the memories of this project will certainly stay with us forever.
We can’t wait for everyone to experience Hannah Leonard’s story, witness the incredible community spirit behind the build, and see the finished Timber Frame Ireland extension when DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland airs on RTÉ.
